As the population continues to age, the number of people receiving long-term treatment with oral anticoagulants is increasing. At the same time, bleeding and thromboembolic events such as thrombosis or stroke are serious complications of this therapy. Against this background, the thrombEVAL Study was initiated as a research project of the Center for Thrombosis and Hemostasis (CTH) at the University Medical Center Mainz. The aim was to investigate the medical care of people receiving oral anticoagulation therapy and to identify opportunities for improving their care. To this end, various aspects of healthcare provision were analysed in several observational studies. In addition to evaluating existing care, the project also investigated whether innovative telemedicine-supported care approaches could contribute to improving treatment. The thrombEVAL project was conducted between 2010 and 2018. Participants were followed up for up to five years.
The thrombEVAL Study pursued several scientific and healthcare-related objectives
- Analysis of existing healthcare provision for people receiving oral anticoagulation therapy
- Identification of opportunities to optimise medical care
- Investigation of factors influencing treatment adherence and treatment outcomes
- Evaluation of a telemedicine-supported care approach
- Establishment of a research database for long-term scientific analyses and quality assurance
- Provision of scientific evidence to support the further development of medical care
The thrombEVAL programme comprised three substudies
thrombEVAL I
In a multicentre observational study, the medical care, disease progression and treatment-related complications of approximately 2,500 participants receiving oral anticoagulation therapy in Rhineland-Palatinate were investigated.
thrombEVAL II
This prospective observational study evaluated the care of approximately 1,000 participants who were managed by a specialised telemedicine-supported anticoagulation service. The aim was to assess this innovative care approach in routine clinical practice.
thrombEVAL III
As part of a questionnaire survey, patients and physicians were asked about their experiences, satisfaction and expectations regarding care with oral anticoagulants.